Audio Visual Specialist [Part-Time] (metmuseum)

Job Description

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity. 

Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.

Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.

Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.

Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.

Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve. 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

As the Audio-Visual Specialist, you will be part of the AV and Media Services division in the Digital Department. You will play a key role in supporting the Museum’s performances, symposia, lectures, convenings, classes, meetings, museum-wide festivals, and corporate and non-profit rentals. You will be responsible for the setup, operation, and maintenance of audiovisual systems and theatrical equipment in the Uris Center for Education, Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, and other spaces across the Museum.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Setup, operate and monitor audio, video, and lighting systems and staging for programs and events. 

• Work with internal and external clients for event support and management, including preparing, setting up, and operating audio-video equipment for performances, special engagements, conferences, committee meetings, seminars, etc.

• Assist with video documentation of live events, including controlling cameras and/or assisting with sound recording of live events, gather and organize digital assets, video recording and editing   

• Monitor and troubleshoot stream quality during live-streaming productions. Support livestreaming, including real-time and first pass editing, as well as trimming of live event recordings.

• Routine inventory, maintenance, and repair of audiovisual and theatrical production equipment under the direction of the Senior Manager of AV and Media Services.

• Setup, operate, and monitor staging, lighting, audio, and video technology at Museum facilities, including The Uris Center for Education, Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, other locations around the Museum, and at the Met Cloisters. 

• Collaborate as needed with external vendors and partners to deliver AV and media services.   

• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree or certificate from film, video, or live event production training program or commensurate work experience. 

• Bachelor’s Degree not required but considered a plus. 

• InfoComm Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) or other industry certifications considered a plus.

• At least 2 years of experience working in audiovisual, event, film/video, or technical theater production. 

• Experience in the operation, setup and maintenance of audio, video, lighting, and electrical systems and theatrical staging. 

• Ability to read, understand, and complete work based upon standard industry technical drawings and production documentation. 

• Working knowledge of both Windows and Mac computers, digital video and audio formats, software and workflows, as well as basic wired and wireless IP network setup and troubleshooting. 

• Experience with audiovisual technology such as smart classroom media technology, including control & matrix routing systems (such as Crestron, or Extron), interactive touch screens, and Lutron or similar room lighting systems. 

• Basic skills in the use of hand tools, soldering irons, rigging equipment, etc. 

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work with Met staff, external partners, and rental clients who possess varied degrees of technical expertise. 

• Comfortable communicating via telephone, walkie-talkie, intercom, digital messaging apps, online software, etc. 

• Sensitivity to and awareness of the extra level of care required when moving equipment and working in proximity to objects of art. 

• Manual dexterity and ability to lift speakers, lights, props, etc.

• This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Moving Picture Projectionists, Video Technicians, and Allied Crafts Union, Local 306 of the International Theatrical Stage Employees Union. As a condition of employment, all new hires must become members of the Union within 30 days of hiring or pay to the Union a service charge in an amount equal to the regular dues and remain in good standing.

COMPENSATION RATE:

• Pay Rate: $41.52 / Hourly

• The advertised starting salary rate reflects this role's good faith minimum and maximum hourly rate. The IATSE Local 306 and Museum collective bargaining agreement sets starting salary and new hire rates.  Incumbent rates may vary depending on an individual employee’s seniority status and based on terms provided by the collective bargaining agreement.

Location Requirements

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
• Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
• Free financial-planning services
• Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
• 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
• A subsidized staff cafeteria
• Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.  

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.